By JULIE ASH
Former Silver Fern defender Linda Vagana is one of six New Zealand-based players named in Samoa's world championship netball side.
Joining Vagana in the side, named yesterday, is Canterbury Flames defender Rachel Rasmussen, Force midcourt player Nicolette Ropati, Flames midcourt player Francis Solia, Auckland Diamonds shooter Anna Senio and Force shooter Malu Faasavalu.
Samoa, coached by former Silver Fern Rita Fatialofa, are ranked ninth going into the tournament, to be held in Jamaica in July.
"We are going to improve on that," said Vagana, who will captain the side. "I hope we get into at least the top five."
The top eight teams are automatically seeded for the tournament and the other 16, who include Samoa, are required to play two matches before the tournament to determine their seedings and the four pools in which they will be placed.
In the lead-up to the world champs, Samoa will square off against England in Samoa next month before the English play the Silver Ferns in a three-test series.
"That match will be a really good test for us," Vagana said.
"I think we have got some good combinations so it will give us a chance to get them going."
The Samoan-based players in the side, Monalisa Tofilau, Faleulu Tuli, Grete Liuaana, Sose Tavae, Caroline Ah Chong and Ida Vaii, are also part of a locally-based Samoan team who will compete in the South Pacific Games in Suva next month.
The full Samoan team: Linda Vagana, Nicolette Ropati, Malu Faasavalu (Force), Rachel Rasmussen, Francis Solia (Flames), Anna Senio (Auckland Diamonds), Monalisa Tofilau, Faleulu Tuli, Grete Liuaana, Sose Tavae, Caroline Ah Chong and Ida Vaii (Samoa).
Netball: Vagana to captain Samoa in champs
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